Solicitor - Litigation

Job Introduction

This is a commercial litigation role specialising in property damage claims for insurers. Due to continued growth, the team now seeks a solicitor (2-4 PQE) to join them in their Glasgow office. This is an exciting opportunity for a Solicitor to undertake a varied caseload of both Pursuer and Defender work in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session (ordinary and commercial court).  

As well as a good work life balance we offer a competitive remuneration package alongside real opportunity for growth and progression.

Our specialist property recovery team in Glasgow comprises a Partner, an Associate, four Solicitors, seven Paralegals, two Trainee Solicitors and a Case Administrator.

We provide expert and practical advice over a range of areas:

• Public Liability / Property Damage claims
• Property subsidence
• Property recovery
• Motor recovery

Property is expanding within general property recoveries (fire, escape of water, impact of vehicles into property etc) and motor recoveries.

The team now seeks a solicitor to work on subrogated property damage recovery/liability claims and supervise up to 2 junior fee-earners. The work is a mix of Pursuer and Defender with a significant proportion being Ordinary Cause.

Role Responsibility

The role is to work as a solicitor within the Recoveries team as part of the wider Property service line in our Glasgow office.

Core responsibilities

• Reporting to the partner and associate.
• Manage a personal and team property damage caseload under supervision.
• Act as a point of contact for clients in relation to Scottish claims arising from insurance related reparation (predominantly property), demonstrating an in-depth level of knowledge and skill.
• To provide a timely, professional and high-quality service to clients in the management of the high volume litigated recoveries/liability cases, in strict adherence to the Service Level agreement(s) entered into with the Insurer clients.

As part of the fee earning aspect of this role, candidates are expected to:

• Handle a varied caseload of litigated work covering the above types of claim with an appropriate level of supervision.
• Be responsible for managing all financial aspects of his/her caseload, including accurate and timely billing, WIP and debt management and accuracy and timeliness of management reporting and information.
• Ensure strict and ongoing adherence to benchmark standards in all work undertaken.
• To hit, maintain and apply a consistent approach to all individual targets of chargeable time, financial performance, realisation rates, settlement rates and average claim spend.
• Instruct experts and external counsel where appropriate.
• Exercise full compliance with DAC Beachcroft protocols on billing and credit control and demonstrate a high level of financial management in respect of own files.
• Maintain an awareness of the firm's strategies and plans.
• Maintain and develop technical knowledge through attendance at training sessions, reading appropriate publications.
• Handle confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols.
• Support marketing and business development activity on behalf of the team e.g. attending marketing events and client training.

As part of the supervisory aspect of this role, candidates are expected to:

• Supervise and manage the handling of cases by junior fee-earners (up to 2 paralegals/trainee solicitors) with a high level of efficiency and technical expertise.
• Motivate, encourage and coach fee-earners to optimise performance to support employee development, progression and engagement.
• Lead by example and continually monitor the financial performance and utilisation of fee-earners being supervised.

The Ideal Candidate

The candidate should:

• Exercise full compliance with DAC Beachcroft LLP protocols on billing and credit control and demonstrate a high level of financial management in respect of own files.
• Aim to achieve a minimum budgeted annual target of 1440 chargeable hours per year.
• Handle confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols.
• Have an LLB (Hons) and have completed the Diploma in Legal Practice.
• Be highly organised and a confident negotiator and communicator with an outstanding eye for detail.
• Previous experience of civil litigation process is desirable.
• Experience within the field of property damage recovery litigation/insurance is desirable.
• Have an excellent level of technical expertise in insurance related reparation and commercial litigation generally, with demonstrable experience in managing a large and varied caseload in the sheriff courts, Court of Session and commercial courts.
• Have excellent relationship and client handling skills. Able to deal confidently and professionally with clients on day to day issues.  Able to demonstrate a reasonable level of self-sufficiency, combined with an awareness of the boundaries of own competence/authority.
• Be experienced in having given advice on insurance policy interpretation would be an advantage. A defender background/experience is preferable but not essential.
• Have an excellent and proven track record of ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision.
• Be proactive with a tenacious approach to identifying issues and solving problems.
• Be experienced in working within a pressurised and deadline driven environment with the ability to prioritise work effectively.
• Experience of training or supervising junior fee-earners is desirable.
• Be change oriented, with a positive, flexible approach towards the implementation of new initiatives.
• Be IT literate, with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office and previous knowledge or experience of a case management system would be an advantage.
• Have a willingness to follow a process driven system, working within set parameters.
• Be team orientated, with a willingness to share knowledge with and support other members of the team.
• Have an ability to adopt a commercial perspective.
• Have entrepreneurial skills and an innovative approach to legal work

About the Company

We are a leading international legal business with over 2,400 colleagues and a diverse range of capabilities. We have 11 offices in the UK as well as offices in Dublin, Madrid, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Miami. We also have associations/alliances with firms in Northern Ireland, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Peru, Central America, Argentina, the USA, Australia and Germany.

We are known for our market-leading presence in sectors such as Insurance, Health and Real Estate. This is complemented by a fast-growing Business Advisory capability. We represent a wide range of clients, ranging from household names to government departments and NHS bodies. We act for the majority of the top 30 insurance and financial services companies operating in the UK. We are the asset management lawyers for the UK’s largest shopping centres and act for 9 of the UK’s top 10 housebuilders.

We have an impressive legal pedigree, with 155 Chambers UK 2019 practice area and individual lawyer rankings, including 30 rankings at 'Band 1' level. In Legal 500 UK, 2018, the firm received top tier ranking for 32 of its practice areas and 59 practice areas in the top two tiers. In March 2018, we were named as one of Legal Week's Best Legal Advisors for the third year running, achieving category-leading satisfaction scores for our commercial approach, service delivery, quality of legal advice, communication & responsiveness and overall relationships.

Our vision is to be leading business advisers, recognised for our insight and our outstanding commitment to clients, and for being the place where talented people want to work. For further details on our work and our culture, please visit www.dacbeachcroft.com.

DAC Beachcroft is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from every sector of the community. We also welcome direct applications. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV. Your application will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.

DAC Beachcroft